4.5
4.5 A gasp and a cry. Thumping up steep stairs. (Too steep. Stupid builders!) “Creak,” shouts the landing. The end of the hallway groans. Shuddering with sobs, my boy is waiting for a savior. “Jesus is keeping you safe.” Fears stilled. We douse the bedside lamp. Darkness pounces, never slinks, into the room. A preschool imagination fires a million synaptic candles. Sleep quenches them - one then 10... Later I pause at the door. Hairs on my neck exalt themselves - What if he’s not alone? The panic of a four-and-a-half year old throttles me. And ghouls and goblins and bad guys and grey wolves parade through the…
